ISLAMABAD: Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad impounded the bananas along with an offending (vehicle used for smuggled goods) vehicle worth Rs2.7million and sold the seized bananas in an auction just after two hours of seizure.
According to Assistant Collector Majid Hussain Gadd, on a tip-off forwarded by Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad Dr. Arslan, the ASO intercepted a Hino truck coming from Azad Jummu Kashmir (AJK).
The ASO asked the possessors to show the documents as legal proof of the loaded bananas but they failed to prove anything legal. The possessors told the ASO staff that they do business of fruit in Indian held Kashmir through Pak-India Wagha border.
In response to the arguments of the possessors of bananas, the ASO staff told them they must have paid duty taxes before crossing the border. Since the possessors were unable to provide goods declaration (GD) so the ASO staff impounded the bananas along with an offending vehicle.
The goods were brought to the state warehouse and the bananas were auctioned off against Rs0.7million. The impounded truck will be auctioned after the completion of other departmental formalities. The value of the truck was appraised Rs2.00million.
An FIR has been lodged against the tax evaders. The ASO staffers, taking part in the operation, comprise Rana Shakeel, Superintendent, Inspector Asaf Mehmood and other supporting staff.
